Electrically operated signalling system



Jan. 26, 1960 w. BURRI ELECTRICALLY OPERATED SIGNALLING SYSTEM 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Dec. 20, 1955 WN DN Jan. 26, 1960 W. BURRI ELECTRICALLY OPERATED SIGNALLING SYSTEM Filed Dec. 20, 1955 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 Y TO OTHER STOCK RELAYS Jan. 26, 1960 Filed Dec. 2'0, 1955 w. BURRI ELECTRICALLY OPERATED SIGNALLING SYSTEM 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 ELECTRICALLY OPERATED SIGNALLING SYSTEM Walter Burri, Solothurn, Switzerland, assignor to Autophon A.G., Solothurn, Switzerland, a joint-stock com- This invention relates to an apparatus for visually indicating symbols, more particularly to signaling systems such as stock quotation systems and the like.

As is well known it is customary in stock and cornmodity exchanges to visually indicate on large boards stock quotations or commodity prices. Currently a large number of devices are in use, but it has been found that the most advantageous way of visually indicating or displaying the quotations is by projection on a screen preferably ofthe ground glass type. Such systems have been disclosed, for example, in the Swiss Patents Nos. 282,564 and 295,859. In these devices the projection of the symbols comprising a quotation is generally controlled by means of keys cooperating with control elements.

It isa principal object of the invention to provide an apparatus for easily displaying -or projecting symbols representative of selected data to be visually indicated.

Another object is to provide an apparatus wherein the symbols to be displayed are projected on a screen in groups and the individual symbols are first individually pre-set in the group and easily projected or otherwise displayed by actuation of a single key or switch representative of the group, whereby the apparatus has a minimum of control keys or switches and the groups of symbols can be switched on and off individually and the same group key which serves to classify the pre-set symbols into a determined group is used for on and oit switching when the symbols are not pre-set.

A feature of the signaling system in accordance with the invention is that rotatable symbol carriers or symbol display devices operative in groups are positionable in a plurality of operative positions with each position cornprising a symbol to be selectively projected on a screen. The operative positions of the symbol display devices or carriers are selected on a common keyset and must all be selected in a given group before the group 'is projected by actuation of a single switch or key.

The symbol carriers are provided with a synchronizing position to which they are all automatically rotated individually before any new setting of data to be displayed `as a group and subsequently they rotate to the operative positions corresponding to the symbols selected on said keyset to be displayed as a group.

Other objects, features and advantagesof the invention will be understood from the following description and claims in conjunction with the accompanying drawings which illustrate by way of example an embodiment Vof the system as a stock quotation systemwith four-digit numbers representative of stock quotations, and in which:

Fig. l is a schematic diagram of the keyset corresponding to the 'first digit of the quotation numbers to be projected. This arrangement is common to all stocks.

Fig. 2 is a schematic diagram of a signalling device for one stock quotation and some of the stock keys with their signal lamps and the stock-relays.

Fig. 3 is ya layout of Figs. l to 4.

Fig. 4 is a schematic diagram of circuitry common to all stocks.

States Patent O Patented Jan. 2e, 1960 VThe, device shown in Figs. l, 2 and 4 is constructed to project stock exchange quotations of four digits each. The setup of the four-digit numbers is effected by means of a single keyset, apart of which is shown in Fig. l. This digit keyset serves for all the numbers to be projected. Since each digit may have ten different values, i.e. from l to 0, the keyset consists of 40 pushbuttons similarly designated 143 preferably arranged in four columns of ten push-buttons each, whereby each column corresponds to a digit of the number to be projected. For the sake of simplicity only the rst column has been indicated in Figure l, this column corresponding to the first digit of the quotations and comprises ten push-buttons 143, designated with the digits lv to 0.

The system is provided with fourteen relays 132-141 and 144-147 (Fig. l) associated as a set with each column of the digit keyset. There are four of these relay sets included in the whole device. The relays 132- 141 mark the digit selected by depressing a given pushbutton until the corresponding symbol display device 500, Fig. 2, is put in the right position. The two relays 144 and 145 are used for annulling the effect of a previously depressed push-button by depressing another one. Relay 146 is energized, if any one of the push-buttons of the corresponding column has been depressed and relay 147 is energized when the signal carrier of the corresponding digit is put in a position corresponding to the depressed push-button.

For each stock of which the quotations are to be projected, the system is providedwith a signalling device, shown in Fig. 2, which substantially comprises a symbol display device 500 and a projection lamp 211 for each digit. Each symbol display device 500 has a digit disc 503 provided adjacent its periphery with ten translucent digitsV "l" to 0. For each angular position of it a digit may be illuminated by the light rays emanating from the corresponding projection lamp and projected by means of a condenser lens, 505, onto a translucent screen, 502, which may be constructedot` ground glass. The symbol display devices are of the type disclosed in the Swiss patents mentioned heretofore, and are individually driven by step-by-step mechanism, 501, which is operated by direct-current impulses of alternate polarities. The position 0 of each symbol display device is a synchronizing position, i.e. in this position a mechanical stop 504 prevents the symbol display device from rotating as long as the step-by-step mechanism is fed with impulses of a normal voltage. Only when the step-by-step mechanism receives an impulse of higher voltagevalue the correspondingsymbol display device is disengaged from the A stop and rotates to the next angular position.

Since the system is intended for four-digit quotations,

`each signalling device (Fig. 2) comprises four symbol display devices (only one of which is shown) and four corresponding projection lamps 211. The driving mecha- .nisms 501 are driven by coils designated 209--210. .In

order to simplify the drawings, detailed circuits to move the symbol display devices are only shown for the coil 210, corresponding to the first order digit column of a quotation and to the first order digit columns of all the symbol display devices. This first order digit column can be selected with the column of keys shown in Fig. l. For the other three columns of digits of the same quotation, equivalent circuits are used. These circuits are connected at 201 (Fig. 2).

For each stock a stock-key and a corresponding signal lamp 224-224 P is needed. The stock-keys A to P (Fig. 2) are provided. The key N of the stock-key is associated with the signalling device shown in the same figure. The other keys are connected to corresponding circuits (not shown). Four relays, as for example, 204, 219, 220 and 221 are associated with each stock and its signalling device. They bring the common circuits 207-208, 212-213 shown on the other figures (Fig. 4) in relation with the signalling device of the stock with which they are associated and connect and disconnect the projection lamps vof this stock. The common circuits, shown in Fig. 4 are provided once for the whole device. They include a relay chain, consisting of nine counting relays 411-419, an impulse-generating relay 453 and two auxiliary counting relays 454 and 455. Three relays I450-452 supervise the moment when the last relay of the chain is energized and permit the chain to be actuated a second time. A relay 467 is energized when any of the digit-keys have been depressed while a relay 466 puts in service the circuits for setting the signalling devices and a relay 465 is energized when all the setting-on actions are finished.

The system according to the invention operates as follows:

Setting the signalling device of a given stock on a given quotation number Each push-button 143 actuates two contacts simultaneously.

Assuming that the first digit of the given quotation is 4 and that push-button 4 of the digit keys 143 is depressed, the right hand contact operates over the closed contact 154 the relay 144. Relay 144 energizes relay 145 through contact 150. Relay 145 is held over the push-button contact and the contact 153. Relay 145 short circuits relay 144 with contact 154 so that it releases. A resistance 148 is provided to prevent a short-circuit of the battery by the push-button contact. The left hand contact of the push-button 4 energizes relay 135 through the circuit, ground, contact 470 (Fig. 4), wire 164, contacts 152, 149 and which holds through contacts 125, 151, wire 168 and contact 463. Across relay 135 is shunted a signal lamp 142 which lights to indicate that the corresponding push-button 4 has been depressed. Itwill be understood that each relay 132-141 is provided with a similar lamp similarly designated 142 and associated with a corresponding digit key 1-0 as shown.

Operation of relay 135 causes contact 121 to change over to energize relay 146 which corresponds to the rst digit of the, given quotation. When relay 146 is energized contact 156 is closed so that relay 467 is energized through lead or wire 165.

The selection of the other three digits of the given quotation is effected in the same manner, namely by depressing the corresponding push-buttons 143 of the second to the fourth column so as to energize relays corresponding to relays 132-141 and relay 146, but for the other digits.

If one of the push-buttons has been erroneously depressed thus selecting an incorrect digit, the error may be easily corrected before the projection of the quotation onto the screen by merely actuating the push-button corresponding to the right digit. For example, if pushbutton 4 had to be depressed while push-button 3 had been erroneously actuated, it will sulice to depress push-button 4 to correct the error. When push-button `4 is depressed relay 144 is then energized as described heretofore and with contact 151 the holding circuit of relay 134 is interrupted and the circuit over the contacts 149 and 152 is closed only after the delay time until relay 144 is returned to normal position, which allows relay 134 associated with push-button 3 to be de-energized and get in a resting position.

When the selection of the four digits of the quotation has been completed, it is necessary to project the selected quotation onto the ground glass screen. For this purpose a stock key is actuated and in this example the stock key N is actuated as the quotation is to be projected on the signalling device corresponding to the stock N.

When the switch N closes relay 221 is energized. Through contact 469 in its working position and lead 212 through contact 218 relay 204 and relay 46,6 4is energized over wire 207. When the contact of the stock key N is opened relay 221 releases but the relays 204 and 466 hold through Contact 205.

Once energized relay 466 closes its contact 457 which puts into action the impulse generating relay 453, the windings of which are in opposition. A condenser '458 is connected in series with the lower windings. During the time the condenser 458 is being charged, the relay can not be actuated for the currents in the windings are opposite. When the condenser is fully charged, the relay is energized over its upper windings and opens a Contact 456. The condenser discharges over the two windings in series and holds the relay actuated until the condenser is discharged. In this manner relay 453 generates impulses so long as contact 457 is closed.

Contact 449 of the impulse generating relay 453 controls a circuit comprising relays 454 and 455. When contact 449 changes over, a circuit is established from ground, contacts 460, 443, 449, 448, relay 454 to battery so that relay 454 operates and closes contact 446. At this stage however relay 455 is not energized because its upper windings are short-circuited by contact 449.

When contact 449 restores to normal in the time interval between two impulses, the upper windings of relay 455 are energized and relay 455 changes over contact 448, so that the lower windings of relay 455 also are energized. Both relays 454 and 455 are thus operated. Upon arrival of the next impulse from contact 449, relay 454 releases since contact 448 has changed over. During the impulse duration relay 455 is held by its lower windings and releases again at the end of the impulse duration. This sequence of operations recurs in the manner described above. The relay chain consisting of relays 411 to 419 is actuated by the contacts y445 and 447 of relays 453 and 455. At the rst impulse of relay 453 relay 455 is not energized and there is for the present no change in the relay chain. At the second impulse of relay 453, contact 447 has changed its position and the following circuit is formed: ground, contacts 460, 443, 4'45, 447, relay 411. The last mentioned relay is energized and holds itself over its contact 420 and the contacts 443 and 460. At the next impulse, contact 447 is in normal or rest position again. Relay 412 is now energized over the contact 421, and holds in parallel to relay 411 over its contact 420. At every impulse of relay 453 an additional relay of the chain of relays 4114419 is energized over the contacts 422 to 428.

A voltage which is alternately positive and negative in respect to ground is applied by the contact 438 of relay 455 to the coil 210 of the driving mechanism of the signal device selected by depressing the push-button N. 'Ihis voltage that changes at each impulse of relay 453 is applied by the following circuit: contacts 438, 433, wire 161, contacts 159, 155, wire 169, contact 203. Through the corresponding contacts (not shown) to contact this alternately positive and negative is also applied to the other coils 209--209 of the signal device. The corresponding circuits are effected over the contacts 202 and the circuits 201, not shown.

If the symbol display devices are not in the synchronisation position, they rotate to this position. As stated hereinabove, the symbol display devices are blocked in the synchronisation position by a mechanical stop, not shown. Since each symbol display device has ten positions, they are all brought in the synchronisation position when relay 453 has transmitted nine impulses and accordingly relay 455 has changed over nine times. At the ninth impulse relay 418 is energized and operates relay 450 over the contacts 431 and 461. Relay 450 is held by its contact 439 through contact 461. When the impulse relay 453 releases after the ninth impulse, a circuit is closed through contacts 461, 442 and 435, in which relay 451 is energized. lt holds over contacts 461, 434 and 435. Relay 451 opens contact 443 which breaks be stopped in this position.

the first digit of the given quotation is 4. VThe symbol play devices are brought to the same starting position,V

so that any subsequent operation of the same does not depend on their previous position.

With the tenth impulse relay 452 is energized, over the contacts 461, 442 and 440 and holds over contacts 461 and 441. With contact 444 it again closes the circuits of the relays 411-419, 454 and 455, interrupted by contact 443, so that the impulses can be counted again by vthese relays. With the eleventh impulse the relay 454 is operated as described hereinabove for the rst impulse. On the coil 210 no voltage is applied since contactY 433 has opened. When relay 453 releases after the eleventh impulse, relay 455 is energized and with the twelfth impulse which is also the first impulse of a new impulse series relay 411v is energized as described hereinabove for the second of the restoration impulses. Now a high positive voltage from source 471 is applied on the coils 209 to 210 of the signalling device through contacts 429, 430, 433, wire 161, contacts 159, 155, wire 169, contact 203. As `stated heretofore, the symbol display devices may now disengage from the mechanical stop and rotate to the next position 1. When the next current impulse arrives from relay `453, relay 412 is operated as described hereinabove. A negative voltage will be applied to the coils of the signalling device by lcontacts 432, 430, 433, Wire 161 and so on so that the symbol display devices rotate to the position 2. The next step to position 3 is eiected by contact 432 being changed over. In a similar manner, the subsequent steps of the symbol display devices are effected by contact 432.

If now one of the symbol display devices is brought in a position corresponding to the digit the push-button of which has been depressed in -the digit keyset, it will In the example considered display device driven by soil 210 will be accordingly lstopped in the position 4 in the manner hereafter described.

As stated above,v when the vsymbol display device attains -the Vposition 4, relay 414 is operated. After the release of relay 453, the following circuit is closed: ground, contacts 436, 437, 404, wire 104, contact 116, relay 147. The relay 147 operates and holds through contact V158, wire 162, contact 459, and ground. With the changed-over contact 159 it breaks the circuit of the driving mechanism of the signal carrier corresponding to the rst digit. The signal carrier, etherefore, stops in the position "4. Contact 160 changes over and short circuits contact 157. A

The remainder of the digits of the desired quotation are transmitted to the signalling device in the same manner. For other digits than 4 the corresponding circuits are closed over the contacts 111 to 119, the wires -101 to 109 and the contacts 401 to 409. If the digit 0, that corresponds to the synchonising position of the signal carriers, vis selectedonV a push-button, relay 147v is energized over contact 120, wire 110 and contactv 437 as soon as contact 436 is closed. In this case the symbol display device is not moved out of the synchronising position.

The relays corresponding to the relay 147 of the other digits, which are not shown, are operated in .a manner similar to that discussed as to relay 147. When the relays 147 for all digits are operated, relay 465 is operated `over contact 462, wire 166, contact 160, wire 167, the contacts of the relays of the other digits, corresponding to contacts 157 and 160, being connected at the designation 464, but not shown in detail. Relay 465 closes contact 468 and energizes, over wire 208 and contact 206, relay 220 which is held through contact 216, the upper windings of relay 219 and contact 217. Relay 219 is also energized. The series projection lamps 211 of the signalling device corresponding to the stock-key N are energized through contact 215 and through contact 222 the signal lamp 224 N appertaining to said key is lighted. Relay 465 also changes over contact 463 and this breaks the holding circuits for relays 132-141 of all digits, which release. The contacts 121 are restored to normal so that relays 146 also release. As a result relay 467, held over contacts 156 and the Wire 165, also releases and changes over contact 469 which causes, by means of wires 212 and 207, the relays 204 and 466 to release. Relay 453 is deenergized and the signalling device is disconnected from the keyset circuits of Fig. 1. The circuits of Figs. 1 and 4' are now restored to normal and ready to select another four-digit quotation for another stock.

Connecting and disconnecting the projection lamps for a given stock jection lamps are lighted the relays 219 and 220 stay energized, the current going from contact 216 through,

the upper windings of relay 219 and then in parallel over contact 214 through the Alower windings of relay 219 and through contact 217 to relay 220. By depressing the stock key N, relay 221 is energized and changes over its contact 217, thus causing relay 220 to release. Relay 219 is held over its lower windings, contact 214, contact 217, wire 213 and contact469, so long as the stock key remains in the operated position. Subsequently relay 219 also releases and the projection lamps 211 and the signal lamp 224 are disconnected through contacts 215 and 222.

If a stock key corresponding to a signal device of which the projection lamps are not lighted, is operated before a quotation has been selected by depressing at least one of the push-buttons 143, the projection lamps are connected while the symbol display devices remain in their place. In this case by operating the key N and energizing the relay 221, relay 220 is energized through contact 469, wire 213, contacts 217 and 214. Contact 216 closes and short-circuits the upper windings of relay 219. When the stock key and relay 221 are released, the current ows from contact 216 over the upper windings of relay 219, contact 217 and relay 220 causing relay 219 to attract its armature. Relays 219 and 220 now stay energized as described heretofore. The lamps 211,and 224 are lighted by contacts 215 and 222 and the operation of contact 218 is ineffective.

Changes in a quotatonnumber During a stock exchange meeting it often occurs that a quotation must be changed. In this case the new quotation must first be selected on the keyset of Fig. l`

For this purpose it is not necessary that all the pushbuttons corresponding to the new quotation be depressed. lt merelyv suffices to depress the push-buttons corresponding to the digits which differ from those of the prior quotation. Thus only those relays 146 which correspond to the modified digits are energized and cause the operation of relay 467. When a stock key is now actuated relay 221 is energized and changes over contact 217 causing the release of relays 219 and 220 as described hereinabove. Due to the changed position of contact 469, in View of the description above, relay 204 of the selected stock and relay 466 are both energized through contact 469 and held through contact 205. Impulse relay 453 and relay chain 411-419 are operated in the manner described hereinabove. From the foregoing it 7 will be apparent that among the four symbol display devices of the signalling device only those are operated for which in the corresponding column a push-button has been depressed and therefore the corresponding relay 146 has been energized.

As soon as the symbol display devices corresponding to the depressed push-buttons are brought in the proper position, relay 465 operates in a described manner and with contact 468 energizes relays 219 and 220, so that the projection lamps 211 and the signal lamp 224 are again caused to light, while the keyset of Fig. l and the relay 204 restore to normal in the manner described above.

From the foregoing it appears that when the projection lamps are in operation they are disconnected if the adjacent stock key is actuated and none of the digit-keys (push-buttons) has been depressed. However, if the projection lamps are in operation and a stock key is actuated when at least one of the push-buttons has been depressed, the projection lamps are rst disconnected, the signalling device is brought into the position corresponding to the depressed push-buttons and subsequently the same projection lamps are operated again.

If the projection lamps are disconnected, they are put in circuit upon operation of a stock key provided that none of the push-buttons is depressed. If however a digit has been selected on the digit-keys, in other words if at least one push-button has been depressed, upon operation of a stock key the symbol display devices are brought into the position corresponding to the depressed push-buttons and subsequently the projection lampsV are operated.

It will be understood that the general principles disclosed hereinabove may be embodied in many other arrangements without departing from the spirit of the invention. For instance, the quotations to be projected onto the screen may have more or less than four digits as in the example described, or one of the symbol display devices may be provided with fractional value symbols in substitution for the digits. In general the signal carriers may be provided with letters, words or symbols of any kind instead of digits.

What is claimed is:

l, Apparatus for visually displaying selected symbols comprising a screen for projecting selected symbols thereon, a plurality of rotatable symbol display devices operative in groups, each display device having a plurality of operative positions and each position comprising a different symbol, for each symbol display device a projection lamp related thereto so as to project a selected symbol on said screen, for each symbol display device means to electrically drive the device to preselected operative positions, means comprising sets of symbolselecting keys connected in common to said groups of display devices for preselecting individually the operative positions of the individual display devices prior to projecting them on the screen jointly as a group and to prepare said projection lamps and driving means to be rendered effective, means comprising for each group of symbol display devices a manually operable group key operably connected with a corresponding group of display devices for causing the individual driving means to 8 position the display devices in preselected positions corresponding to the operative positions selected with said symbol selecting keys when the group key indicative of a group of display devices is actuated, means operable to turn on the lamps associated with the corresponding group of display devices in dependence upon selection of operative positions for the respective devices having been made in the group with said symbol-selecting keys, means to turn ott the lamps in preparation for a new selection of operativeV positions of the display devices in said group, means to turn them off in dependence upon actuating of the corresponding group key and to let them remain turned off if none of the symbol keys have been actuated, and means to render them effective in dependence upon actuating of the corresponding group key when they are turned olf even though a selection of operative positions of the corresponding display devices has not been made. f

2. In an apparatus for visually displaying stock quotations and having a screen for displaying quotations thereon, in combination, a plurality of signaling devices each having a plurality of rotary symbol display devices, for each symbol display device a projection lamp operably related thereto so as to project a selected symbol on said screen, a set of symbol keys operably connected in common to all the signaling devices, switching means appurtenant to the symbol keys for marking and selecting symbol combinations to be indicated on the signaling devices, a plurality of stock keys each corresponding to a particular stock, a plurality of groups of electric switching means each operably connected to a corresponding stock key and a corresponding signaling device, first switching means forming part of said groups for transmitting in dependence of the operation of a corresponding stock key selected control criteria necessary for the selection of the symbol display devices of the corresponding signaling device if a value to be selected has been marked by means of the symbol keys, second switching means forming part of said groups for switching off in dependence of the operation of a stock key the lamps of the corresponding signaling device operably related to the stock key operated if the same are switched in and for switching-in the lamps in dependence of the switching means appurtenant to tbe symbol keys after a selection of thesymbol display devices has taken place.

3. Apparatus according to claim 2, comprising third switching means forming part of the said groups for switching in the lamps of the signaling device in question in dependence of the operation of the corresponding stock key, if the same are switched on and ot and if no value to be displayed has been marked before hand by the symbol key.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,542,649 Willis June 16, 1925 1,852,994 Frischknecht Apr. 5, 1932 2,095,730 Bellamy Oct. 12, 1937 FOREIGN YPATENTS 282,564 Switzerland Aug. 16, 1952 295,859 Switzerland Mar. 16, 1954 

